Game Design Challenge: Role Reversal

[11.16.11]- GameCareerGuide.com staff

GameCareerGuide.com's Game Design Challenge is an exercise in becoming a game developer, asking you to look at games in a new way -- from the perspective of a game creator, producer, marketer, businessperson, and so forth.

Every other Wednesday we'll present you with a challenge about developing video games. You'll have two weeks to brainstorm a brilliant solution (see below for how to submit your answers). After the two week submission period elapses, the best answers and the names of those who submitted them will be posted.

The Challenge

Choose an existing game or franchise, and design a new game from the antagonist's perspective.

Assignment Details

When we take control of classic video game characters like Mario, Sonic, or Pac-Man, we tend to have a pretty good idea of what to expect. Every time we play as these characters, we generally understand what genres, gameplay mechanics, and themes to expect.

But what if we were to turn these games on their head, and design a new title from, say, the antagonist's perspective? For instance, how would a Mario game change if played from Bowser's point of view? Would the game be a brawler, an RPG, a tower-defense style strategy game? And what about other series? How would they change if designed around the enemy's perspective?

In this latest Game Design Challenge, we ask you to pick an existing game or franchise, and design a new game based on the antagonist. Feel free to change gameplay styles, storylines, or anything else you find appropriate. As long as your design is in some way rooted to an existing series, it's fair game.
To Submit

Work on your ideas, figure out your strategy for coming up with a solution, and ask questions on the forum. When your submission is complete, send it to gamedesignchallenge@gamecareerguide.com with the subject line "Design Challenge: Role Reversal." Please type your answer directly in the email body.

Submissions should be no more than 500 words and may contain up to three images. Be sure to include your full name and school affiliation or job title.

Entries must be submitted by Wednesday, November 30

Results will be posted Tuesday, December 6
Disclaimer: GameCareerGuide.com is not responsible for similarities between the content submitted to the Game Design Challenge and any existing or future products or intellectual property.